Scent Dispenser

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to attraction by scent and, more particularly, to a device for dispensing scent in an outdoor area to attract a particular animal.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It has been known for some time that animal scents, such as the urine of a female deer or "doe," can be used in hunting to either mask human odor or to attract the animal. Various methods and devices for dispensing animal scent into the surrounding area have been disclosed. Mechanical propelling means are utilized in the Salter Scent Propeller, advertised in Outdoor Life, December 1992, at page 20. U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,411 to Uhlman further discloses a fluid dispensing container with a nozzle to dispense game attracting fluid to a surrounding area.

It is also known that when the weather is cold, scents do not carry well. Therefore, various attempts have been made to keep the scent source warm. This serves two purposes: first, it prevents the scent source from freezing, and second, the warm source volatilizes more rapidly and carries further into the atmosphere. Several references teach the use of a heating element powered by an electrochemical cell. Typically, these references incorporate or allow for some form of wick, such as a felt pad or cotton balls, to draw the scent source from a holding container to the heat where it can be vaporized and dispersed into the atmosphere. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,431 to Jameson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,503 to Easley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,025 to Daniels, and Tink's Scent Dispenser advertised in the Bass Pro Shops.RTM.1992 Hunting Catalog at page 101.

Although electrical heating does prevent the scent source from freezing in cold weather, several batteries must often be used to heat the scent source sufficiently to allow for effective dispersal to the surrounding area. The batteries must then be recharged or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. Additionally, since all of the scent source drawn to the wick will not be volatilized and much of it cannot be recovered for use at a later time, the wick is often wasteful of scent source.

A catalytic type burner, such as utilized by a conventional hand warmer, has also been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,119,650 to Bilyeu. The device in Bilyeu employs a porous material containing a lure composition. Heat from the burner permeates through a burner cover and into the porous material causing the lure composition to be heated and driven off into the atmosphere. However, the operator must rely on air convection to carry the scent. Thus, the device is not practical for long range scent dispensing, as is necessary for the device to effectively attract game.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a scent dispensing device which effectively heats and dispenses scent source over a sufficiently large area for hunting, without wasting the scent source.

The present invention is directed to a scent dispenser for dispensing animal scent into a surrounding area preferably used for the attraction of game. The scent dispenser of the present invention includes a) a reservoir for holding a liquid scent source exposed to the atmosphere and b) a housing for a burner which heats the scent source in the reservoir causing the scent source to volatilize. The housing is provided with at least one opening to allow for admission of air into a chamber defined by the housing. A vent communicates with the chamber and extends through the reservoir.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an upper reservoir with a top rim. The reservoir receives a liquid scent source and exposes the source to the atmosphere. A lower housing removably engages the upper reservoir in nesting fashion. The lower housing has a bottom surface containing a plurality of apertures for admission of air into the chamber. A burner, housed in the chamber, includes a barrel and a burner orifice.

A central vent pipe extends from the chamber to above the top rim of the upper reservoir. The vent pipe is arranged coaxially with the burner and receives the burner orifice. An air baffle is arranged coaxially with the burner and has a plurality of apertures which are offset from the apertures in the lower housing. Additionally, means for supplying a fuel to the burner are provided.

The present invention is also directed to a method of dispensing scent into the atmosphere for attracting game which comprises a) placing the scent dispenser in a suitable location; b) charging a scent source into the upper reservoir of the scent dispenser; c) introducing a flame from the burner into the vent to generate and release heat into the upper reservoir; and d) entraining volatilized scent in the flame exhaust to carry the scent into the atmosphere.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the scent dispenser connected to a fuel tank with a cut-out of the lower chamber to show the interior;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air baffle;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottom surface of the lower housing;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom surface of the lower housing; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially broken away, showing the apertures of the air baffle offset from the apertures of the bottom surface of the lower housing.

Referring to FIG. 1, a scent dispenser 10 for attraction of animals with scent is shown. The scent dispenser has an upper reservoir 12 having a top rim 13, preferably made from aluminum pipe, which is stacked in removable, nesting fashion above a lower housing 14. The housing defines a chamber 15. A central vent pipe 16 is secured within the upper reservoir 12 and extends vertically through and above the upper reservoir. Below the central vent pipe 16 and extending slightly into the central vent pipe 16 is a burner 18 with an air baffle 20 arranged coaxially with the burner 18. Between a bottom surface 21 of the lower housing 14 and air baffle 20 is a spacer 22.

Preferably, the bottom surface 21 includes a plurality of apertures 23. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the air baffle 20 further contains a series of apertures 24, equally spaced in concentric circles from the center of the air baffle. Apertures 24 are offset from apertures 23 in bottom surface 21 of the lower housing 14. The burner 18 includes a barrel 30, orifice 31, air inlet 32, moveable collar 34 and fuel tube 36. The fuel tube extends through the bottom surface 21 of the lower housing 14 and connects to a control valve 38, which serves to regulate flow from a combustible fuel source 40.

The scent dispenser of the present invention was designed with safety as a primary concern. The upper reservoir 12 and lower housing 14 are held securely together by a slip joint 42, in which the upper reservoir 12 is overlapped by a portion of the lower housing 14. The slip joint 42 holds the scent dispenser 10 together and prevents the upper reservoir 12 and lower housing 14 from separating in the event the scent dispenser 10 is knocked over. Thus, an open flame will not be generated from the scent dispenser even if the scent dispenser 10 is knocked over.

The slip joint 42 also allows for easy assembly. The upper reservoir 12 can be stacked in nesting fashion securely above the lower housing 14 by engaging slip joint 42. Conversely, the scent dispenser 10 can be easily disassembled by loosening the slip joint 42 to remove the upper reservoir 12.

Preferably, the upper reservoir 12 is made from aluminum. Additionally, to minimize light reflection, all exterior surfaces of the scent dispenser 10 are dulled, such as by sandblasting. The preferred embodiment utilizes an upper reservoir which will hold about 6 ounces of scent source.

The scent dispenser, as shown in FIG. 1, can be assembled in the field by connecting the combustible fuel source to the burner 18. Propane is the fuel of choice. The unit is then put together firmly at slip joint 42. The operator then stands the unit in the center of an area cleared of all twigs, leaves and debris. Preferably the cleared area is at least 3 feet in diameter. A large flat rock is ideal. A scent source 44 is then poured into the upper reservoir 12. While holding a lit match or lighter just above the center of the vent pipe, the control valve 38 is slowly opened until the unit ignites. Adjustments can then be made as needed. Scent will then be heated and begin to be dispersed.

The generated flame is received by the central vent pipe 16, which creates a vortex to effectively carry the scent. It is important to note that only a slight flow of fuel is needed to cause ignition. Dispersion of the scent will continue for the next 6 to 8 hours before total evaporation of the scent source 44 occurs.

A preferred and cost-effective use of the present invention utilizes a 50/50 water to scent source mixture. This mixture puts out a strong scent and creates considerable savings for the user. Additionally, the mixture raises the heat tolerance of the scent enabling higher heat to be used to produce a strong scent without damaging the quality of the scent.

The flame temperature needed to effectively vaporize the scent source depends on the outside temperature. For example, on days with 70.degree. F. temperature, a 130.degree. F. flame temperature has been found to be effective. Lower atmospheric temperatures require a higher flame temperature for effective dispersal of scent. However, the scent mixture will begin to foam up around 170.degree. F. Therefore, the scent dispenser 10 does not operate effectively at such a high temperature.

The scent dispenser of the present invention is advantageous over the prior art as the present invention not only heats the scent source 44 but dispenses it more effectively. The flame rising through the central vent pipe 16 creates a vortex which has proven effective in dispensing the scent at least 500 yards from the scent dispenser 10. Particularly, it is believed that exhaust from the vent pipe entrains volatilized scent and carries it away from the scent dispenser.

The scent dispenser of the present invention is further designed to withstand winds up to 20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour. The configuration of the apertures 23, 24 and air baffle 20 facilitates this wind resistance. The scent dispenser of the present invention has also been used to disperse strong steady scent flow under drizzle, rain and fog conditions. Additionally, the scent dispenser 10 weighs only 1 and 1/2 pounds (without the fuel tank) providing for easy transport to and from the field. No batteries must be bought, recharged or disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Further operational advantages stemming from the invention are as follows:

(1) The central vent pipe creates a warm spot in the center of the upper reservoir; scent source in this area rises while that along the outer, cooler walls of the reservoir falls, thus promoting convection in the scent source.

(2) Convection in the liquid scent source results in automatic stirring of the source, which facilitates vapor release at lower temperatures, for example 130.degree. F.

(3) The air baffle and aperture arrangement of the invention enables maintenance of a desired temperature in the upper reservoir within .+-.20.degree. F. It is believed the apertures and the baffle in the chamber 15 impart a controlled chimney effect, enabling temperature uniformity.

(4) The invention includes an adjustable heat source, heretofore unavailable with prior art battery-operated and handwarmer-type scent dispensers.

(5) The invention enables the user to preheat the scent source, and then turn down the burner flame for prolonged use. This reduces set-up time.

(6) The invention may also be used to heat water for beverages or cooking by using interchangeable reservoirs.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.